Awning strip



Feb. 6, 1940. y E, g, WLLER y 2,189,567

AWNING STRIP Filed June 27, 1958 INVENTOR.

Eaflxya raf .Z' Mle?? BY M, 7m, MM@

l ATTORNEY, l

Planted Feb. s, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE s claims.

This invention relates to a strip adapted for attaching the head of a flexible shelter, such as an' awning or tarpaulin to a support, and for other similar uses.

A particular object of the invention 'is to provide a strip thatl is economical to manufacture, and which is strong and emcient in operation.

'I'he strip is preferably formed as a single piece of extruded metal, such as aluminum, and the pulling strain-normally exerted by the shelter on the strip is distributed between ia rib formed on the base of the strip and a cover member wlich cooperates with the rib. The cover member engages the shelter along two lines spaced apart from each other. The strip is provided with attaching ilanges, both above and below the cover member so that the strip may be securely anchored by a suitable fastening means.` A l These and additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. i

While a preferred form of a strip is disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as herein set forth and claimed.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one end of a strip embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a vertical installation of the strip.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating a horizontal installation.

Referring to the drawing more particularly it will be seen that the awning strip comprises a base plate III, which has an outwardly extending rib II formed intermediate its lateral edges. In the form illustrated this rib II is located near the middle of the strip, but this location can, of course, be varied. A cover member I2 projects from the base plate at a. point spaced from rib II4 and extends around and over rib Il. inner surface of cover member I2 is formed on a curve which is continued into the base III and up along rib II so as to form a substantially cylindrical channel with a slot I3 opening along its lower side. The outer contour of cover member I2 is also curved and follows. closely the shapev of the inner wall so that the cover member is of substantially uniform thickness from a point adjacent the base strip to its free edge. f

The base plate I. extends above the cover strip to form a ange Il and extends below the The (ci. 15s-15) cover strip to form a ilange I5. Any suitable fastening devices may be applied to flanges Il and I5 to hold the-strip in place.

A typical vertical installation using the awning strip of this invention is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. 'Ihe upper edge lof the awning I6 is formedl with the enlarged head Il in any wellknown manner, as by passing a rope through the hem formed on the awning. In this case the awning strip is secured to the vertical wall I8 l0 by means of screws I9 which pass through holes formed in the flanges I4 and I5.

When the parts are thus assembled lany outward and downward pull exerted by the awning is carried partly by the rib II and partly by the cover member i2. The fact that a large share. of the strain is absorbed on the base plate I0 relieves cover member I2 o f a considerable part of the strain that would otherwise fall upon it,

and the strip is therefore able to withstand very greatA strains without failure. Moreover. the outer edge of the cover member has a snubbing acticin4 on the flexible shelter that reduces the force tending to Wedge the pliant head I1 into the throat of the strip. The fact that the channel extending through the strip is substantially cylindrical-permits the cover member to conform closely to the cylindrical shape of the awning head Il, and allows the use of the smallest possible cover strip for any particular size of awning head, thus conserving strip metal.

Fig. 4 illustrates a horizontal installation of the strip in any case where it is desired to have an awning or tarpaulin member 20 extend horizontally from its anchoring point. In this position also the rib II and cover member I2 cooperate to hold the head, I l and to keep it from working out through slot I3 even when the awning 20 is severely whipping in the Wind.

It will be clear from the above description that the awning strip of this invention provides a perfectly weather-tight anchorage for the head or end of the awning since the' base plate I0 is firmly secured to the wall or deck and the curved cover member I2 completely surrounds the head of the awning. There are, therefore, no cracks through which any leakage can occur. Moreover, the strip provides a smooth Vexterior surface, and hence has a pleasing appearance whie avoiding any sharp corners that might accidentally catchvpassing objects.

I claim:

1. In ,a shelter structure of the type in which a iiexibie shelter has a substantially cylindrical enlarged pliant head secured in a unitary strip which extends the full width ofthe shelter and which is attached to a supporting lstructure, the enlarged head being slidable lengthwise into an opening of the strip, the improvement which comprises; a retainer strip having a base plate, a rib projecting from the base plate intermediate the edges of the base plate and engagingone side of the shelter head, a curved cover member projecting from the base plate and forming with 1 the base plate and rib a bore substantially surrounding the shelter head, the cover memberV engaging the shelter head along a line opposite the rib, the free edge of the cover member being spaced from the rib a distance suicient to ac- 15 commodate the shelter but to retain the head and being extended so that its edge contacts with the shelter along a line spaced from the enlarged head, the base plate extending beyond the cover member on both sides of the strip to form 20 attaching anges.

2. In a shelter structure of the type in which a flexible shelter has an enlarged pliant head secured in a unitary strip which extends the full width of the cover, the enlarged head being 25 slidabie lengthwise into an opening of the strip, the improvement which comprises; a base plate having a fiat lower side, a lrib extending the full length of the plate, the rib being located on the outer side of the base plate intermediate the 30 edges of the base plate, a curved cover member projecting from the outer side' of the base plate intermediate the edges of the base plate, the cover member being of substantially uniform thickness. the rib, base plate and cover member forming a substantially cylindrical bore. the cover member having a free edge which extends outwardly from the cylindrical bore,. overlaps the rib and extends to approximately the level 5 oi' the top of the rib, the rib and cover member being homogeneous with the base plate, the base plate extending beyond the cover member on both sides oi' the strip to form attaching ilanges.

3. In a shelter structure of the type in which l a flexible shelter has a substantially cylindrical enlarged pliant head secured in a unitary strip which extends the full width of the shelter and which is attached to a supporting structure, the enlarged head being slidable lengthwise into an l opening of the strip. the improvement which comprises; a retainer strip having a base plate, a rib extending the full length of the strip, the rib projecting from the base plate and engaging the enlarged head of the shelter, a cover member extending the full length of the strip, said cover member projecting from the base plate and contacting the enlarged head along a line opposite the line of 'contact between the rib and the enlarged head, the cover member being ex-y i tended so that its edge contacts with the ilexible shelter along al line spaced from the enlarged head, leaving a length of the flexible shelter between the enlarged head-and the line of contact of the outer edge of the cover member with the viexible shelter.

EDWARD J. MILLER. 

